Entertainment

Idris Elba says his upcoming Mandela biopic is ‘hands down the best’

October 10, 2011: Idris Elba attends the UK film premiere of ‘Demons Never Die’ held at the Odeon West End in London. Mandatory Credit: INFevents.com

December 9, 2012: Idris Elba attending the British Independent Film Awards held at Old Billingsgate in London, UK. Mandatory Credit: INFphoto.com

December 9, 2012: Idris Elba attending the British Independent Film Awards held at Old Billingsgate in London, UK. Mandatory Credit: INFphoto.com

March 6, 2012: Idris Elba arrives to The CBC building for an interview. Elba is in Toronto filming ‘Pacific Rim’. Mandatory Credit: O’Neill/White/INFphoto.com

Idris Elba arrives at the 19th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar viewing party held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Idris Elba in the press room during the Golden Globes Awards 2012 held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 15, 2012. Mandatory Credit: INFevents.com

October 31, 2012: Idris Elba arriving at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards at Claridges Hotel in London, UK. Mandatory Credit: INFphoto.com

Actor Idris Elba arrives for a State Dinner in honor of British Prime Minister David Cameron at the White House on March 14, 2012 in Washington, DC. Cameron is on a three day official visit to Washington. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

While Nelson Mandela’s recent hospitalization has been garnering headlines, actor Idris Elba plans on making news of his own as he announced that he will be portraying the South African leader in an upcoming biopic.

According to The Guardian, Elba believes the film to be the finest interpretation of Mandela yet, saying that the movie is “hands down the best.”

“Not in terms of performance,” he clarifies. “But my film’s about his entire life. Anyone wanting to understand who Mandela was should go and watch my film.”

Although the British-born actor is aware that his movie won’t be the first to portray Mandela’s story on the big screen, he does believe that it will capture a more complete portrayal of the South African leader’s experiences.

“Morgan Freeman is outstanding. Terrence Howard is an outstanding actor. But my film is about his life,” Elba said, referring to Freeman’s 1999 movie Invictus and Howard’s depiction of Mandela in Winnie – a 2012 film which never made it to theaters.

The actor doesn’t only expect audience members to be pleased with the film, he also confirms that he has heard that Mandela himself has watched parts of the movie and provided positive feedback.

“I wasn’t with him, but I got told that he was really happy. He even asked: ‘Is that me?’” Elba told The Guardian.

Rumors spark discussion that Elba may even win an Oscar for his delivery.

Addressing the chatter, he responds: “I’ve not heard that but it’s a great film. It’s a real picture postcard of his life, and I’m proud of it.”